About Us

HISTORY

The church that eventually became Grace Life Fellowship began in the mid-1970s when 10 families formed Maranatha Bible Church. The church has had four pastors, each serving for approximately five years before Frank Friedmann was called to pastor the church in October 1991. Frank still serves as the teaching pastor. Tim Chalas serves as lead pastor.

In its early years, the church met in various locations—in the home of one of the original 10 couples, in a community room at Bon Marché Mall on Florida Boulevard, and in Wildwood Elementary School. In 1981, the church moved to a newly constructed facility at the entrance of Quail Ridge Subdivision and the church name was changed to Quail Ridge Bible Church. This building was designed to seat approximately 50 families. A few years later, a temporary building was purchased and installed to house the children’s education program.

The need for an even larger facility became evident, and in 1997 a second building was constructed adjacent to the first. This facility was designed to be multi-functional in order to accommodate the growing children’s and youth ministries; the auditorium seated approximately 340 people and was also used as a gymnasium. The building included expanded nursery facilities, more office space and a youth bay. Within a few years of moving into this new facility, it became necessary to include a second service on Sunday mornings due to increased attendance. The original 1981 structure then served solely as the Children’s Ministry Center.

In August 2003, the name of the church was changed to Grace Life Fellowship in order to better reflect the church’s philosophy of ministry and the church joined the Exchanged Life Ministry (now known as Network 220).

In 2012, the church purchased 10 acres on Barringer Foreman Road and began a new construction project. GLF opened its new church home on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014. The facility includes a worship center for 600, staff offices, kids' ministry classrooms and large group rooms, adult classrooms, a large fellowship foyer, youth room and gym.